My research is in the area of granular particle physics and
the compaction of granular materials. These materials are used
for the stabilization of nuclear waste. We are studying
applications of vibrational shock compaction to the recycling of
granular wastes from demolition and mine tailings and uses of
scrap tire rubber in asphalt. I am Manager of the Environmental
Materials Laboratory in the Department of Physics &
1958 Ph.D., Physics
Iowa State University
"Environmental Materials" are broadly
defined as those materials or substances whose presence is
commonly viewed as waste or as nearly useless by-products of
industrial activity. Their disposal or modification represents an
environmental challenge: rather than to dispose of such materials
in a landfill or dump, they become candidates for conversion to
useful & marketable products. Plastic and glass recycling are
but two examples. In this laboratory, we are investigating the
conversion of coal combustion ashes from power plants into
building materials, requiring extensive research and testing as
well as characterization. This study involves the application of
dynamic compaction to solidify the waste ashes(as well as other
granular materials) into useful shapes such as bricks and panels.
Currently we are investigating large (800 lb) slabs of compacted
ash for durability, strength, and other physical characteristics.
As tools we use acoustic pulses and continuous waves for
measurement of elastic module, resonant frequencies, and sound
attenuation, as well as acoustic emission during deformation.
Scanning electron microscopy is another important tool.